How Taylor Swift is expanding her $17 million Rhode Island mansion
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Taylor Swift is taking her billionaire status to new heights — literally and figuratively — by expanding her $17.75 million Rhode Island estate.
The 35-year-old pop sensation is set to build an addition to her sprawling 11,000-square-foot mansion, located in the exclusive Watch Hill neighborhood of Westerly, according to a building permit obtained by Providence Journal on Tuesday, January 14.
The expansion plans include adding a new bedroom, expanding the bathrooms, and giving the existing kitchen a facelift. According to the outlet, the project will come at an estimated cost of $1.7 million, covering labor and materials.
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Known as “High Watch” or “Holiday House,” the luxurious property sits on over five acres of prime real estate, featuring manicured gardens, a spacious patio, and a large swimming pool with a pool house. The estate, which offers 700 feet of private beachfront, has eight bedrooms and ten bathrooms, plus eight fireplaces — all of which Taylor paid for in full when she purchased the property in 2013.
The home holds significant meaning for Swift, as it inspired her 2020 song “The Last Great American Dynasty,” which tells the story of Rebekah Harkness, the previous owner of the mansion. Swift even shared how she connected with Harkness, who was frequently in the public eye and often surrounded by scandal. Harkness was a composer and socialite who passed away in 1982 at the age of 67.
Beyond its musical significance, Swift’s Rhode Island home has served as a backdrop for many of her iconic gatherings. Last summer, her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, and Kansas City Chiefs teammate Patrick Mahomes were spotted at one of Swift’s celebrated pool parties, joined by A-list friends like Gigi Hadid, Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and Bradley Cooper. These famous gatherings, including her annual “Taymerica” Fourth of July celebrations, have become synonymous with the star’s New England summers.
Swift and 35-year-old Kelce’s relationship has captured the public’s attention since rumors of their romance began swirling in the fall of 2023. The couple first met after the star tight end publicly expressed interest in Swift during an appearance on his New Heights podcast. Their relationship has blossomed since, with the pair being spotted at multiple games and social events, including an onstage appearance at one of the pop star’s Eras Tour stops.
